SYNONYMY NOTE: element, in its general use, is the broadest term for any of the basic, irreducible parts
or principles of anything, concrete or abstract [the elements of a science]; component, constituent both refer to any of the simple or compound parts of some complex thing or concept,
but , constituent also implies that the part is essential to the complex [hemoglobin is a constituent of blood]; ingredient refers to any of the substances (sometimes nonessential) that are mixed together
in preparing a food, medicine, etc. [the ingredients of a cocktail]; factor applies to any of the component parts that are instrumental in determining the nature
of the complex [luck was a factor in his success]